Arrangement for and method of assessing a cause of poor electro-optical reading performance by displaying an image of a symbol that was poorly read

ABSTRACT

A reader electro-optically reads symbols by image capture to obtain read data, and a controller processes symbol images of the symbols captured by the reader, and decodes the read data to obtain symbol data indicative of the associated products. The controller also collects time-to-decode metadata by determining the decode time periods that are taken for the symbol data to be successfully decoded, associates the decode time periods with the symbol images, stores the longest decode time period and its associated symbol image, and displays the stored symbol image associated with the stored longest decode time period to determine a cause of the reading performance of the reader.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to an arrangement for, and amethod of, assessing reading performance during reading of coded symbolsto be electro-optically decoded and read by image capture, and, moreparticularly, to displaying a symbol image of the symbol that took thelongest decode time period to be successfully decoded, thereby enablinga cause of the slow, sluggish reading performance to be determined.

Handheld readers and hands-free readers, such as flat bed or horizontalslot readers, vertical slot readers, and bi-optical readers, have allbeen used to electro-optically read targets, such as one-dimensional barcode symbols, particularly of the Universal Product Code (UPC) type, andtwo-dimensional bar code symbols, such as PDF417 and QR codes, in manydifferent venues, such as at full-service or self-service,point-of-transaction, retail checkout systems operated by checkoutclerks or customers, and located at supermarkets, warehouse clubs,department stores, and other kinds of retailers, as well as at manyother types of businesses, for many years. Handheld readers aretypically held in a user's hand and aimed at products bearing, orassociated with, identifying target symbols. For hands-free readershaving a scan window, such products with their target symbols aretypically slid by a user across the scan window in a “swipe” mode, orthe user merely presents the target symbols momentarily steady at thescan window in a “presentation” mode. The choice depends on the type oftarget, on user preference, and on the layout of the system.

Imager-based readers have one or more solid-state imagers, or imagesensors, analogous to those conventionally used in consumer digitalcameras. Each imager has a one- or two-dimensional array of photocellsor light sensors (also known as pixels), and an imaging lens assemblyfor capturing return light scattered and/or reflected from a targetbeing imaged through a scan window over a field of view, and forprojecting the return light onto the sensor array to initiate capture ofan image of the target over a range of working distances in which thetarget can be read. The target may be a symbol, as described above,either printed on a label or displayed on a display screen of anelectronic device, such as a smart phone. The target may also be a form,such as a document, label, receipt, signature, driver's license,employee badge, or payment/loyalty card, etc., each bearing alphanumericcharacters, as well as a picture, to be imaged. Such an imager mayinclude a one- or two-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) or acomplementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and associatedcircuits for producing and processing electrical signals correspondingto a one- or two-dimensional array of pixel data over the field of view.These electrical signals are decoded and/or processed by a programmedmicroprocessor or controller into target data related to the targetbeing electro-optically read, e.g., decoded data identifying theproduct, and enabling information, such as the product's price, to beretrieved from a price database, or into a picture of a target otherthan a symbol.

The above-described imager-based readers, employed in either handheldand/or hands-free modes of operation, typically decode and read a symbolin an optimum decode time, e.g., less than about 200 milliseconds (ms),and this is generally considered to be responsive, aggressive, andsatisfactory in most applications. Upon a successful decode, thecontroller typically energizes an auditory annunciator, e.g., a beeper,and/or a visual indicator, such as a light, to alert the user that thetarget has been successfully decoded. There are times, however, whensuch decode times are not routinely realized. For example, a symbol maybe poorly printed, or covered up with extraneous markings or dirt. Or, alabel bearing the symbol may be torn, or overlain with a transparentplastic film or dirt, or placed incorrectly on its product.Alternatively, sunlight or ambient bright lights may cause specularreflections or bright spots to appear on the symbol. The scan windowitself may be dirty or scratched, which may interfere with a quick,responsive reading. An inexperienced user may be performing an incorrectscanning technique, thereby delaying reading. All of these factors, andmore, either singly or in combination, can deleteriously impair readingperformance and can slow down the decode time to exceed the optimumdecode time of about 200 ms, and, in some cases, to exceed about 3seconds, thereby causing the reader to time out without having read thesymbol. Such a slow, sluggish performance is unacceptable, particularlyin the retail industry, where retailers value fast checkouttransactions, and where getting a customer checked out faster generallyresults in higher revenues.

At present, some retailers try to discover any symbols that read poorly(slowly) by instructing their clerks to take note of each such sluggishperformance. Typically, this is done by manually collecting a secondphysical specimen of the product with the symbol that scanned slowly,because the first physical specimen of the product has already beenpurchased and removed from the retailer's premises by the customer. Inthis way, the retailers can inspect the second physical specimen andpossibly determine, for example, the source of the slow decode time andpossibly see if there is any consistent pattern to the poor performance.However, this technique is ineffective in practice. A clerk may eitherconveniently or inadvertently forget the retailer's instructions, orsimply not wish to be bothered to retrieve a second physical specimen.Not every clerk will have the same mental determination as to whatamount of decode time is slow or fast. Due to the subjective,labor-intensive, and extra cost and effort associated with thistechnique, most retailers do not optimize their checkout times at all,or not as regularly or frequently as they would like.

Accordingly, there is a need to assess reading performance in anautomatic, accurate, and inexpensive manner, and to readily determinethe cause of poor (slow) reading performance so that corrective measurescan be quickly implemented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explainvarious principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a retail checkout system in which readingperformance is assessed in accordance with this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a broken-away perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 duringreading.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of various components of the system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a host server querying the system anddisplaying images of symbols of different symbologies that each took thelongest time period to be successfully decoded.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting the steps performed in assessingreading performance in accordance with this disclosure.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and locations of some of theelements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements tohelp to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The method and arrangement components have been represented whereappropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only thosespecific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments ofthe present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with detailsthat will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of this disclosure relates to an arrangement for assessingreading performance during reading of coded symbols associated withproducts. The arrangement includes a reader, e.g., an imager-basedreader, for electro-optically reading the symbols by image capture toobtain read data, and a controller, e.g., a programmed microprocessor,for processing symbol images of the symbols captured by the reader, andfor decoding the read data to obtain symbol data indicative of theassociated products. The controller also collects time-to-decodemetadata by determining the decode time periods that are taken for thesymbol data to be successfully decoded, associates the decode timeperiods with the symbol images, stores the longest decode time periodand its associated symbol image, and displays the stored symbol imageassociated with the stored longest decode time period to determine acause of the reading performance.

Preferably, the controller recognizes and classifies the symbols intodifferent symbologies, and stores the longest decode time period and itsassociated symbol image for each symbology, and displays the storedsymbol image associated with the stored longest decode time period foreach symbology.

A method of assessing reading performance during reading of codedsymbols associated with products, in accordance with another aspect ofthis disclosure, is performed by electro-optically reading the symbolsby image capture to obtain read data, processing symbol images of thesymbols captured by the reader, decoding the read data to obtain symboldata indicative of the associated products, collecting time-to-decodemetadata by determining the decode time periods that are taken for thesymbol data to be successfully decoded, associating the decode timeperiods with the symbol images, storing the longest decode time periodand its associated symbol image, and displaying the stored symbol imageassociated with the stored longest decode time period to determine acause of the reading performance.

Turning now to the drawings, a retail checkout system 100, as depictedin FIG. 1, includes a reader and, as shown, a dual window, bi-optical,point-of-transaction workstation 10 used by retailers at a checkoutcounter in an aisle to process transactions involving the purchase ofproducts 26 (see FIG. 2) bearing an identifying target, such as the UPCsymbol 28 described above. In a typical retail venue, a plurality ofsuch workstations 10 is arranged in a plurality of checkout aisles. Asbest seen in FIGS. 2-3, the workstation 10 has a generally horizontalplanar window 12 elevated, or set flush with, a countertop 14, and avertical or generally vertical, i.e., tilted, (referred to as “upright”hereinafter) planar window 16 set flush with, or recessed into, a raisedhousing portion 18 above the countertop 14. The workstation 10 eitherrests directly on the countertop 14, or preferably, as shown in FIGS.2-3, rests in a cutout or well formed in the counter.

Both of the windows 12, 16 are positioned to face and be accessible to aclerk 24 (FIG. 1) standing at one side of the counter for enabling theclerk 24 to interact with the workstation 10, and with a cash register66 to enable the clerk to receive payment for the purchased products.The register 66 may include a debit/credit card reader and a receiptprinter to print a receipt. The workstation 10 and/or the register 66 isin wired or wireless communication with a host server 70, as describedbelow in connection with FIG. 4. A keypad may also be provided at theregister 66 to enable manual entry of information, such as anidentifying code for any purchased product not bearing a symbol, by theclerk 24.

A product staging area 60 is located on the countertop 14 at one side ofthe workstation 10. The products 26 are typically placed on the productstaging area 60 by a customer 20 standing at the opposite side of thecounter. The customer 20 typically retrieves the individual products forpurchase from a shopping cart 22 or basket for placement on the productstaging area 60. A non-illustrated conveyor belt could be employed forconveying the products 26 to the clerk 24.

As schematically shown in FIG. 3, a data capture arrangement,advantageously including a plurality of imaging readers, each includinga solid-state imager 30 and an illuminator 32, is mounted at theworkstation 10, for capturing light passing through either or bothwindows 12, 16 from a target that can be a one- or two-dimensionalsymbol. Each imager 30 is a solid-state area array, preferably a CCD orCMOS array. Each imager 30 preferably has a global shutter. Eachilluminator 32 is preferably one or more light sources, e.g., one ormore surface-mounted, light emitting diodes (LEDs), located at eachimager 30 to uniformly illuminate the symbol.

In use, the clerk 24 processes each product 26 bearing a UPC symbol 28thereon, past the windows 12, 16 by swiping the product 26 across arespective window, or by presenting the product 26 by holding itmomentarily steady at the respective window, before passing the product26 to a bagging area 64 that is located at the opposite side of theworkstation 10. The symbol 28 may be located on any of the top, bottom,right, left, front and rear, sides of the product, and at least one, ifnot more, of the imagers 30 will capture the illumination lightreflected, scattered, or otherwise returning from the symbol through oneor both windows as an image.

FIG. 3 also schematically depicts that a weighing scale 46 can bemounted at the workstation 10. Also, an object sensor 56 is mounted atthe workstation 10 for detecting when each product 26 enters theworkstation 10. The object sensor 56 may advantageously include at leastone pair of an infrared (IR) light emitting diode (LED) emitter and anIR detector. The imagers 30, the associated illuminators 32, and theobject sensor 56 are operatively connected to a programmed workstationmicroprocessor or controller 44 operative for controlling the operationof these and other components. Preferably, the controller 44 is taskedwith processing the return light scattered from each symbol 28, withprocessing an image of each symbol 28, and with decoding the capturedsymbol image of the return light to generate symbol data. A memory 54 isoperatively bidirectionally connected to the controller 44. The memory54 can be internal or external to the controller 44.

In operation, an active mode for the controller 44 is initiated when theobject sensor 56 detects that a product 26 has entered the workstation10. The controller 44 then sends successive command signals to theilluminators 32 to pulse the LEDs for a short time period of about 200microseconds or less, and successively energizes the imagers 30 tocollect light from the symbol 28 only during said time period, alsoknown as the exposure time period. By acquiring a symbol image duringthis brief time period, the image of the symbol 28 is not excessivelyblurred even in the presence of relative motion between the imagers andthe symbol. A typical array needs about 11 to 33 milliseconds to acquirethe entire symbol image and operates at a frame rate of about 30 to 90frames per second. The array may have on the order of one millionaddressable sensors. The active mode ends when the object sensor 56detects that the product 26 has exited the workstation 10, or when thecontroller 44 has successfully decoded the symbol 28 and identified theproduct 26. Upon a successful decode, the controller 44 typicallyenergizes an auditory annunciator, e.g., a beeper, and/or a visualindicator, such as a light, to alert the clerk 24 that the symbol 28 hasbeen successfully decoded.

Although an imager-based bi-optical workstation 10 having dual windowshas been illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, it will be expressly understood thatthe present disclosure is not intended to be so limited, because a flatbed or horizontal slot reader having a single horizontal window, or avertical slot reader having a single vertical window, could be employedinstead of the bi-optical workstation 10. Also, trigger-operatedhandheld readers, typically gun-shaped in configuration, could replacethe illustrated workstation 10.

Thus, no matter which type of reader is employed, the controller 44 notonly processes each captured symbol image, and decodes and generates thesymbol data indicative of the associated products 26 involved in thetransactions occurring at the reader, as described above, but also isadditionally tasked with collecting “time-to-decode” metadata, which isadditional or auxiliary data descriptive of the duration of each decodetime period that is taken for each symbol data to be successfullydecoded.

The controller 44 associates each decode time period with a symbolimage, stores the longest decode time period and its associated symbolimage, and displays the stored symbol image associated with the storedlongest decode time period to determine a cause of the readingperformance. In the preferred embodiment in which the time-to-decodemetadata is collected substantially simultaneously with the generationof the symbol data, the controller 44 determines each decode time periodby determining a start time when reading is initiated, and an end timewhen reading is completed upon a successful decode. The differencebetween the end and the start times is a measure of the decode timeperiod. In the case of the hands-free workstation 10, the start timebegins when the object sensor 56 detects entry of the 0product 26 intothe workstation. In the case of the handheld reader, the start timebegins when its trigger is manually actuated or depressed. In eithercase, the end time is determined when the controller 44 generates asuccessful decode signal to energize the aforementionedannunciator/light. The controller 44 will automatically refresh thestored longest decode time period if a new symbol takes even longer todecode than a previous symbol.

As noted above, one aspect of this disclosure is to assess the cause ofa poor, slow reading performance, e.g., a decode time period exceedingan optimum decode time of about 200 ms, and, in some cases, exceedingabout 3 seconds, in an automatic, accurate, and inexpensive manner, sothat corrective measures can be quickly implemented. To that end, thecontroller 44 automatically stores in the memory 54 the longest,slowest, worst, decode time period and its associated symbol image, aswell as its associated symbol data. The identity of the symbol (product)that caused the slowest decode time period is determined by consultingthe symbol image and/or the symbol data. The memory 54 can be queried bythe host server 70 (FIG. 4) and can be displayed on a monitor screen 72.A retailer can then refer to the displayed query results as often asdesired, e.g., daily, to determine which symbol (product) was the worstoffender in slowing down the checkout process. In another embodiment, ifthe memory 54 has sufficient storage capacity, rather than storing asingle decode time period representative of the longest decode timeperiod, the controller 44 can be programmed to store a plurality ofdecode time periods, together with their associated symbol data andtheir associated symbol images, that are representative of the longestdecode time periods that exceed a predetermined time period.

As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 4 by the chart 76, thecontroller 44 advantageously first recognizes and classifies whichsymbology is being read. Symbols can be categorized in many differentsymbologies or families, and different symbologies take differentamounts of time to be decoded. For example, two-dimensional symbols takealmost twice as long to be decoded than one-dimensional symbols. Thus,one-dimensional UPC codes (UPCA, UPCE, EAN8, EAN13, Supplementals, etc.)could be arranged in one family; all other one-dimensional, linear codes(C39, C128, ITF, etc.) could be arranged in another family; the DataBarcodes could be arranged in still another family; the PDF/uPDF codescould be arranged in still another family; and the two-dimensionalmatrix codes (QR, Data Matrix, Aztec, etc.) could be arranged in still afurther family. Each family is recognized and classified by thecontroller 44 and is provided with its own individual row in the memory54 to store the slowest decode time period for each symbology, as wellas the symbol image and/or the symbol data (product) that caused theslowest decode time period for each symbology.

Thus, as shown in the chart 76 in FIG. 4, the longest decode time periodfor the UPC symbology is stored together with its symbol data and itssymbol image (Image 1); the longest decode time period for the Databarsymbology is stored together with its symbol data and its symbol image(Image 2); and the longest decode time period for the QR symbology isstored together with its symbol data and its symbol image (Image 3). Thechart 76 is merely exemplary, because a different number of rows, anddifferent symbologies could have been illustrated. As noted above, eachof these decode time periods can be automatically refreshed and, ifsufficient storage capacity exists in the memory 54, then it is alsoenvisioned that a plurality of the longest decode time periods for eachsymbology, together with their associated symbol data and theirassociated symbol images, could be provided.

By inspection of each symbol image, the quality of the symbol, theposition of the symbol, and the reading environment itself can beassessed. For example, the image inspection might reveal that the symbolwas poorly printed, or covered up with extraneous markings or dirt. Or,the image inspection might reveal that a label bearing the symbol wastorn, or overlain with a transparent plastic film or dirt, or was placedincorrectly on its product. Alternatively, the image inspection mightreveal that sunlight or ambient bright lights caused specularreflections or bright spots to appear on the symbol. All of thesefactors, and more, either singly or in combination, can deleteriouslyimpair reading performance and can slow down the decode time to exceedthe optimum decode time of about 200 ms.

The stored symbol image is preferably “cleaned up” by the controller 44prior to its being stored. For example, in the bi-optical workstation10, an image of the symbol is typically captured not as a single imagein a single frame, but as a plurality of sub-images in a plurality offrames over a plurality of fields of view, and the controller 44processes the symbol image by combining and formatting the sub-images.The controller 44 also typically stitches the sub-images together,removes any specular reflections, crops the stitched-together image, andformats the image.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5, the method of assessing readingperformance during reading of coded symbols 28 associated with products26, is performed by electro-optically reading the symbols by imagecapture to obtain read data (step 80), optionally recognizing thesymbology of the symbols (step 82), processing symbol images of thesymbols captured by the reader (step 84), decoding the read data toobtain symbol data indicative of the associated products (step 86),collecting time-to-decode metadata by determining the decode timeperiods that are taken for the symbol data to be successfully decoded(step 88), associating the decode time periods with the symbol images(step 90), storing the longest decode time period and its associatedsymbol image for each symbology (step 92), and displaying the storedsymbol image associated with the stored longest decode time period (step94), to determine a cause of the reading performance.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,”“having,” “includes,” “including,” “contains,” “containing,” or anyother variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusiveinclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus thatcomprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not includeonly those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An elementproceeded by “comprises . . . a,” “has . . . a,” “includes . . . a,” or“contains . . . a,” does not, without more constraints, preclude theexistence of additional identical elements in the process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, or contains theelement. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unlessexplicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially,”“essentially,” “approximately,” “about,” or any other version thereof,are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to bewithin 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodimentwithin 1%, and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” asused herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directlyand not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is“configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, butmay also be configured in ways that are not listed.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one ormore generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors, andfield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and unique stored programinstructions (including both software and firmware) that control the oneor more processors to implement, in conjunction with certainnon-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of themethod and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or allfunctions could be implemented by a state machine that has no storedprogram instructions, or in one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certainof the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, acombination of the two approaches could be used.

Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readablestorage medium having computer readable code stored thereon forprogramming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform amethod as described and claimed herein. Examples of suchcomputer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, ahard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storagedevice, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read OnlyMemory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flashmemory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill,notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choicesmotivated by, for example, available time, current technology, andeconomic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principlesdisclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such softwareinstructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claimsare hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

1. An arrangement for assessing reading performance during reading ofcoded symbols associated with products, comprising: a reader forelectro-optically reading the symbols by image capture to obtain readdata; and a controller for processing symbol images of the symbolscaptured by the reader, for decoding the read data to obtain symbol dataindicative of the associated products, for collecting time-to-decodemetadata by determining the decode time periods that are taken for thesymbol data to be successfully decoded, for associating the decode timeperiods with the symbol images, for storing the longest decode timeperiod and its associated symbol image, and for displaying the storedsymbol image associated with the stored longest decode time period todetermine a cause of the reading performance.
 2. The arrangement ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is operative for determining each decodetime period by determining a start time when reading is initiated, andan end time when reading is completed upon a successful decode.
 3. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the controller is also operative forassociating the symbol data with the decode time periods and the symbolimages, for storing the symbol data with the longest decode time periodand its associated symbol image, and for displaying the stored symboldata with the stored symbol image and the stored longest decode timeperiod.
 4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the controller isoperative for recognizing and classifying the symbols into differentsymbologies, for storing the longest decode time period and itsassociated symbol image for each symbology, and for displaying thestored symbol image associated with the stored longest decode timeperiod for each symbology.
 5. The arrangement of claim 1, and a hostserver for querying the controller to retrieve the stored symbol imageassociated with the stored longest decode time period.
 6. Thearrangement of claim 1, wherein the reader captures an individual symbolimage as a plurality of sub-images over a plurality of fields of view,and wherein the controller is operative for processing the symbol imagesby combining and formatting the sub-images.
 7. The arrangement of claim1, wherein the controller is operative for automatically refreshing thelongest decode time period.
 8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein thereader is a bi-optical reader having dual windows through which thesymbol images are captured.
 9. A method of assessing reading performanceduring reading of coded symbols associated with products, comprising:electro-optically reading the symbols by image capture to obtain readdata; processing symbol images of the symbols captured by the reader;decoding the read data to obtain symbol data indicative of theassociated products; collecting time-to-decode metadata by determiningthe decode time periods that are taken for the symbol data to besuccessfully decoded; associating the decode time periods with thesymbol images; storing the longest decode time period and its associatedsymbol image; and displaying the stored symbol image associated with thestored longest decode time period to determine a cause of the readingperformance.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining of eachdecode time period is performed by determining a start time when readingis initiated, and an end time when reading is completed upon asuccessful decode.
 11. The method of claim 9, and also associating thesymbol data with the decode time periods and the symbol images, and alsostoring the symbol data with the longest decode time period and itsassociated symbol image, and also displaying the stored symbol data withthe stored symbol image and the stored longest decode time period. 12.The method of claim 9, and recognizing and classifying the symbols intodifferent symbologies, and storing the longest decode time period andits associated symbol image for each symbology, and displaying thestored symbol image associated with the stored longest decode timeperiod for each symbology.
 13. The method of claim 9, and retrieving thestored symbol image associated with the stored longest decode timeperiod.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the reading is performed bycapturing an individual symbol image as a plurality of sub-images over aplurality of fields of view, and wherein the processing of the symbolimages is performed by combining and formatting the sub-images.
 15. Themethod of claim 9, and automatically refreshing the longest decode timeperiod.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the reading is performed bycapturing the symbol images through dual windows of a bi-optical reader.